If you wish to become a CNA in Maine, you will find that the state requires more extensive training than most other states. All state approved CNA courses must cover 180 hours of instruction with 90 hours of theory and 70 hours in a clinical setting (the remaining hours are spent on lab studies). Most training courses for certified nursing assistants cost at least $450. We’ve compiled a few legitimate free training opportunities below:
1) The Maine Medical Center offers free training for individuals accepted into the program. There is testing and an interview process to select applicants. The goal of this program is to provide career training opportunities for individuals who cannot afford training on their own. Some graduates of the program will be hired to work at Maine Medical Center, while others will find employment at other healthcare facilities. For more information visit the Maine Medical Centre Website
2) Most healthcare providers in Maine will reimburse individuals for the cost of their CNA training upon being hired. (As long as the individuals received certification one year ago or less). If you receive reimbursement for your training in full, you have obtained cna training though you made the initial investment out of your own pocket.
3) Your Current Employer: If you are working in a healthcare facility and decide you want to further your education to work in an entry-level healthcare position, you might want to consider CNA training. Express your interest in the new career to your employer. Good quality nursing assistants are typically in high demand. Your employer might pay for you to receive your training as long as you continue to work for the facility as a nursing assistant upon certification.
Direct Free Training Opportunities
The Broadwater Health Center mention on their website that they will train you to fill their CNA vacancy if you have the passion to care for the elderly. It is worth contacting them to see if they have any active vacancies at the moment and if they will train you for the position. More details can be found on their website at http://broadwaterhealthcenter.com/EmploymentOpportunities.aspx
Maine College of Health Professions (Low Cost Training)
If you’re not willing to commit yourself to a nursing home in exchange for free training, MCHP offers one of the most affordable training options in Maine. Their Tuition costs just $500 and while this doesn’t include text books and exam fees, its still on the lower side when compared to other programs that will run you upwards of $1000 for just tuition alone. Their address and contact details are:
70 Middle Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240,
Phone: (207) 795-2840
Nursing Related Scholarships in Maine
Central Maine Community College (CMCC) Scholarships
Central Maine Community College offers several scholarships to qualified students. In order to be considered for a scholarship, the applicant must complete the CMCC Scholarship Application along with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Make sure and submit completed applications by the specified deadline dates.
Business and Professional Women’s Organization (BPW) Maine Futurama Foundation – The Jeanne L. Hammond Memorial Scholarship
The Jeanne L. Hammond Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to assist women in meeting educational expenses. The amount awarded is $1200. In order to qualify, the applicant must:
- Be a resident of Maine
- Be a women
- Demonstrate financial need
- Enrolled in an accredited college at least part-time
Completed applications along with all requested documents must be submitted by April 20th.
Business and Professional Women’s Organization (BPW) Maine Futurama Foundation – The Career Advancement Scholarship
The Career Advancement Scholarship is awarded annually in the amount of $1200. In order to qualify, the applicant must:
- Be a woman at least 30 years old
- Be a resident of Maine
- Demonstrate financial need
- Accepted into an accredited program of study
- Be enrolled full or part-time
The completed application along with all requested documents must be submitted by April 20th in order to be considered for the scholarship.
Institutions That Can Be Of Assistance
1) Southern Maine Community College
2 Fort Road, South Portland, Maine 04106
The Southern Maine Community College takes part in Workforce Investment Act and Training Programs. They are one of the approved training providers for displaced workers and other individuals qualifying for WIA financial assistance.
2) Women Unlimited
79 Leighton Road, Suite 5, Second Floor, Augusta, ME 04330
The Women Unlimited Program in Maine helps to connect women with Job Training Opportunities. Many of the jobs are in partnership with the Department of Transportation for Maine. Women who are part of the Women Unlimited Job Bank can apply for on the job training options through various employers.
3) Loring Job Corps Center
36 Montana Road Limestone, ME 04750, Phone: 207-328-4212
For youth ranging in ages from 16 years of age to 24 years of age, Loring Job Corps Center is committed to providing employment training and education opportunities that can help each participant that completes a program to transition to a stable job sector. All vocational programs available are supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Labor. Programs are offered in fields such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Billing and Medical Transcription. Many of these programs now also offer training in the latest green technologies available in these job fields.
Nursing homes in Maine that might offer free Training Classes
Note: The following is a list of popular nursing homes in Indiana. They don’t provide free training, but they are a good starting point if you’re looking for nursing homes that may have active vacancies and are willing to hire NA trainees.
- Birch Grove Rehab & Living Ctr – 18 Leighton St Pittsfield, Maine 04967
- Borderview Rehab & Living Ctr – 90 State St Van Buren, Maine 04785
- Brentwood Rehab & Nursing Ctr – 370 Portland St Yarmouth, Maine 04096
- Brewer Rehab And Living – 74 Parkway South Brewer, Maine 04412
- Colonial Health Care – Workman Terrace Lincoln, Maine 04457
- Country Manor Nursing Home – 132 Main Street Coopers Mills, Maine 04341
- Courtland Rehab & Living Ctr – 42 Bucksport Rd Ellsworth, Maine 04605
- Evergreen Manor – 328 North St Saco, Maine 04072
- Falmouth By The Sea – 191 Foreside Rd Falmouth, Maine 04105
- Fieldcrest Manor – 126 Depot St Waldoboro, Maine 04572
- Forest Hill Manor – 25 Bolduc Ave Fort Kent, Maine 04743
- Freeport Nursing & Rehab Ctr – 3 East St Freeport, Maine 04032
- Fryeburg Health Care Center – 77 Fairview Dr Fryeburg, Maine 04037
- Gardiner Health Care Facility – 8 Holland St Houlton, Maine 04730
- Gorham House – 50 New Portland Rd Gorham, Maine 04038
- Maplecrest Rehab & Living Ctr – 174 Main St Madison, Maine 04950
- Market Square Health Care Ctr – 3 Market Square South Paris, Maine 04281
- Marshall Health Care And Rehab – High Street Ext B Machias, Maine 04654
- Marshwood Ctr For Healthcare – 33 Roger Street Lewiston, Maine 04240
- Presque Isle Nursing Home – 162 Academy St Presque Isle, Maine 04769
- Riverridge – 79 Cat Mousam Rd Kennebunk, Maine 04043
- Robinsons Health Care Facility – 284 Brunswick Avenue Gardiner, Maine 04345
- Ross Manor – 758 Broadway Bangor, Maine 04401
- Rumford Community Home – Sunnyside Terrace Rumford, Maine 04276
Other state listings:
I was certified in 1991. I have not been working as a cna for over 2 years. The cna registry told me that it would cost me over $100. to get recertified unless I could find an employer willing to pay for my recertification. Any suggestions.
Well, Like they mentioned your choices are pretty clear cut. If you intend to work as a CNA right now, you’ll find lots of nursing homes near your area who can employ you as well as pay for your recertification.
Hi my name is Diane and I was would like to find out information on the free cna course.If you could call (number removed) or email me would be apreciated.
Hi Diana, We don’t provide the training ourselves… but you could contact a nursing home near you and see if they’d be willing to sponsor your training in return for a commitment to work for them from you.
I am certified as a CRMA and am highly interested in extending my career. How do you go about in trying to get finiacial help with the CNA Course.
Hi Brooke, as discussed above, your best bet is via nursing care facilities. Try to find ones with active vacancies and show them that you have the passion to care for the elderly and they might just offer you free training (with a long term employment contract of course)
Hi my cna certification expired 3 years ago .because I wasn’t working I would love to renew my certification .any suggestions